Committed: Two Middlesex Athletes Take Their Game to the Next Level

From the football field to the baseball diamond, two Middlesex athletes share how they made their college dreams a reality.

Photo by Ant Adogli

At Middlesex, where sports are such a big part of campus life, committing to play in college is a major achievement. For seniors Orion Saunders and Colt Bagnulo, that moment came after years of work, patience, and focus—each taking a different route but reaching the same goal.

For Colt Bagnulo, now committed to Skidmore College for baseball, the process was steady and straightforward. He played in front of the Skidmore coach four times and kept in touch over the summer, building a relationship that led to his commitment. More than anything, it was the connection with the coach and the atmosphere of the program that convinced him. “It was the coach and the program,” he says.

Colt wasn’t only thinking about baseball when choosing a school. Skidmore’s strong academics and location stood out; he wanted a balance between athletics and academics. Still, that balance came with sacrifice. Between training, lifting, and schoolwork, social time became limited. “You have to cut some things out of your life,” Colt explains. “Less social time, more focus.”

It wasn’t always easy for him. Standing just 5’1” and under 100 pounds as a freshman, Colt had to focus on perfecting the things he could control — his technique, effort, and mindset. His dad, whom he calls his biggest role model, taught him to trust the process and put in the hours, advice that carried him through every challenge.

While Colt’s path was consistent and gradual, Orion Saunders’s journey to college football took off fast. His recruiting process exploded in August 2024, when–going into his junior year–he picked up his first scholarship offer from UMass. From there, the momentum didn’t stop. Over the rest of his junior season, he earned fifteen more offers from major programs, including Syracuse, Wake Forest, Tulane, and Old Dominion.

After a series of visits and conversations, Orion committed to Tulane University on May 11, 2025. “The coaches made me feel like I belonged,” he says. “They were straight with me about how I could impact their program.” That honesty, along with the energy of the school, sealed the decision.

Reaching that point, though, took persistence and patience. “At times, I didn’t know if I could make it happen,” Orion admits. “But I kept my head down and stayed focused.” Through it all, he learned not to get distracted by social media or the recruiting noise. His advice for younger athletes is simple: “Stay grounded. It’s easy to compare yourself to other people, but everyone’s path is different.”

Both Colt and Orion share the same foundation — commitment, patience, and a love for what they do. Whether on the baseball diamond or the football field, both athletes put in the unseen hours that make college sports possible. As Colt puts it, “If you really want it, it’s worth it.”

Emerson Gardner ‘28